Disposable ashtray liner

ABSTRACT

A disposable ashtray liner for replaceable use in an ashtray receptacle is fabricated of thin, bendable, sheet material so as to be collapsable and sealable at its upper end upon completion of its use for encapsulating cigarette butts, ashes, etc, for unitary disposal therewith. The sheet material is preferably of light-gauge sheet aluminum formed into an open-topped, cup-like ashtray liner having opposed end walls and opposed side walls and including an upper end plate secured against the upper periphery of the liner providing an outwardly-extending peripheral flange. The upper end plate has a pair of spaced, parallel, rectangular openings defining therebetween a snuffer strip extending between opposite end walls of the liner.

United States Patent 1191 Bennett Aug. 21, 1973 [54] DISPOSABLE ASHTRAY LINER 1,959,263 5/1934 Craske 220/65 [76] Inventor: William B. Bennett 1525 NE. 149th 1,830,543 11/1931 Helse 131/241 North Mlaml' 3316 Primary Examiner-Joseph S. Reich Filedi Jan. 31, 1972 Attorney-Emest H. Schmidt 21] Appl. No.: 221,904

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 131/235 R, 131/241, 220/63 A disposable ashtray liner for replaceable use in an ash- [51] Int. Cl. A241 19/14 tray receptacle is fabricated of thin, bendable, sheet [58] Field of Search 131/235 R, 240, 241, material so as to be collapsable and scalable at its upper 131/231, 242, 240 G; 220/63 R, 65 end upon completion of its use for encapsulating cigarette butts, ashes, etc, for unitary disposal therewith. [56] References Cited The sheet material is preferably of light-gauge sheet UNITED STATES PATENTS aluminum formed into an open-topped, cup-like ash- 2 910 073 10/1959 Lookholder 131/231 tray line having end walls and Side ]:9|2:86o 6/1933 kanhofer 131/240 X walls and including an upper end plate secured against 2,073,498 3/1937 Seez 131 /240 R the upper periphery of the liner p s' Outward- 2,131,s5s 10/1938 Hummel..... 220/63 R x ly-extendihg Peripheral flange. The upper end Plate has 2,710,704 6/1955 Webke 131/241 X a pair of spaced, parallel, rectangular openings defining 3,39 ,712 7/1 Herr et a1... 131/235 R therebetween a snuffer strip extending between oppo- 2,l6l,109 Thomas R ite and walls of the liner 1,895,904 1/1933 Lutts et 31.. 220/63 R 2,025,932 12/1935 Beldin 220/63 R 4 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures DISPOSABLE ASI-ITRAY LINER This invention relates to smoker's ashtrays and is directed particularly to a novel and improved disposable ashtray liner for replaceable use in an ashtray receptacle. The use of removable liners in combination with ashtray receptacles to facilitate ashtray emptying and cleaning is known. Such ashtray combinations built into tables, chair arms and the like find wide useage in public and semi-public establishments, automobiles, passenger airliners, passenger ships, etc., wherever smoking is permitted. While the removability of such ashtray liners as have heretofore been devised facilitates emptying and cleaning of the ashtrays, their use is nevertheless a disagreeable chore. Moreover, since there is always a possibility that undetected smoldering cigarette butts will be discarded in a refuse container with combustable waste materials, the use of reusable liners in ash receivers presents a significant fire hazard.

It is, accordingly, the principal object of this invention to provide an ashtray liner for built-in ashtray receptacles and the like that obviates the abovedescribed deficiencies of ashtray liners heretofore devised.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide an ashtray liner of the character described which will be inexpensive enough to be disposable after only one-time use, and which, at the same time, can readily be collapsed to encapsulate cigarette butts, ashes, etc. for unitary disposal therewith.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a disposable ashtray liner of the above nature which can readily be manufactured by mass production techniques of inexpensive sheet-metal, such as of lightgauge sheet aluminum, so as to be readily bendable for collapsing and sealing upon disposal, while at the same time being fireproof during use and during disposal.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair arm-rest having an ashtray receptacle fitted with a disposable ashtray liner embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the disposable ashtray liner, shown separately;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ashtray liner illustrated in FIG. 2, after folding and sealing at the upper end for unitary disposal;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ashtray liner, taken along the plane indicated by the line 4 -4 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a partial, vertical cross-sectional view of a modified form of ash-tray liner embodying the invention wherein closure for disposal is efi'ected along upper portions by snap action rather than by folding;

FIG. 6 is a partial, cross-sectional view illustrating sealing action of the ashtray liner shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another modified form of disposable ashtray liner embodying the invention;

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ashtray liner illustrated in FIG. 7, taken along the plane indicated along the line 88 thereof in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an upper end portion of the ashtray liner of FIG. 7 and 8, showing how it can be sealed along its upper end for unitary disposal;

FIG. 10 is a partial, vertical cross-sectional view of yet another modification of the ashtray liner wherein closure for disposal is effected by snap action; and

FIG. 11 is a partial, cross-sectional view illustrating sealing action of the ashtray liner shown in FIG. 10.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 designates a prefered form of ashtray liner embodying the invention, the same being shown fitted for use within the ashtray receptacle 1] provided in an arm-rest l2 (partially illustrated), which may be, by way of example, the arm-rest between seats of a passenger airliner. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the ashtray liner 10, which will preferably be integrally formed of light-gauge sheet aliminum by a deep die stamping operation, comprises a pair of spaced parallel end walls 14, 15, spaced parallel side walls 16 and 17 and a bottom wall 18. The bottom wall 18 may be rounded from side to side, as illustrated, for economic use of material and to simplify forming. The upper ends of the walls 14 and 15 extend somewhat beyond the upper edges of the sidewalls 16, 17, and are bent outwardly to provide right-angular flange portions 19, 20, respectively, lying in a plane substantially coincident with the upper edges of side walls 16 and 17. AS an added feature, a cigarette snuffer strip 21, also of lightgauge sheet aluminim, is secured between the end walls 14 and 15, centrally along upper end portions thereof. The snuffer strip 21 can conveniently be secured in place by having end portions thereof project through suitable slots provided in the end walls 14 and 15, which end portions are bent downwardly against outside portions of said end walls, as indicated in 22, 23, respectively, in FIG. 2. In order to facilitate collapsing of the ashtray liner 10 prior to its disposal, the side walls 16 and 17 thereof are provided with central, vertically-directed score lines 24, the lower ends of which extend into opposed, outwardly and downwardlyextending score lines 25 and 26.

In use, the flange portions 19 and 20 of the ashtray liner 10 seat against opposed, upper edge portions of the ashtray receptacle within which the liner is to be placed for use. The flanges thus simplify the seating in place of the liner in the ashtray receptacle. It is contemplated that the receptacle will be designed with suitable ledges or the like at the upper ends to accommodate the liner seating flanges l9 and 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 the usual sliding cover, indicated at 11a, will be arranged to slide coextensively along the liner flanges 19 and 20 at times when the ash tray is not in use. When a used ashtray liner is to be disposed of, such as at clean-up time after the completion of a flight, it can be readily removed from its receptacle by lifting upon the snuffer strip 21.

After removal, the end walls 14 and 15 will be pressed together along their outer ends to permit the flange portions 19 and 20 to be double-bent against an upper marginal portion of one or the other of said end walls (see FIGS. 3 and 4) for encapsulating cigarette butts, ashes etc. illustrated at B in FIG. 4. It is to be understood that the vertical score lines 24 and angular score lines 25, 26 provided in the side walls 16 and 17 facilitate the folding together or collapsing of the ash- '3 tray liner during the sealing or encapsulating procedure.

FIGS. and 6 illustrate a modified form of the invention, designated generally by reference numeral 10a, differing from that of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 described above only in that the end walls 14a and 15a of the liner, instead of being provided with fiat outwardly-extending flanges, are provided with snap-closure means comprising a tubular bead 27 along the upper end of end wall 14a and an arcuately-rounded snap-hook portion 28 formed along the end wall 15a. sealing or encapsulating is effected by squeezing together end walls 140 and 15a so that the tubular bead 27 snap-fits into the snap-hook portion 28, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate still another modification of the invention, differing from that of FIGS. 1 thru 4 only in that a top plate 29 is provided instead of flange portions 19, and cigarette snuffer strip 21. The top plate 29, which will be stamped of light-gauge sheet aluminum so as to be readily bendable, is provided with a pair of spaced, rectangular openings 30, 31 defining a snuffer strip 32 extending centrally between end walls 14b and 15b. The snuffer strip 32 is provided with a circular, central opening 33 for use in snufi'ing cigarettes and, at the same time, provides a weakened zone in said snuffer strip facilitating inward bending when collapsing the liner upon its disposal, as is hereinafter described. The rectangular size of the top plate 30 is somewhat greater than that of the upper end opening of the liner to permit assembly by crimping over short, outwardly-extending flange portions 33 and 34 of end walls 14b, 15b, and similar flanges (not illustrated) at the upper ends of side walls 16b and 17b. The peripheral flang thus formed along the upper end of the ashtray liner provides a stop for seating in an ashtray receptacle designed for its use. Use and operation of the liner 10b is otherwise the same as illustrated and described in connection with the embodiment of the invention designated by reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1 thru 4. Use and operation of the liner 10b is otherwise the same as illustrated and described in connection with the embodiment of the invention designated by reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1 thru 4. As illustrated in FIG. 9, encapuslation upon disposal is effected simply by folding the top plate 29 inwardly so that face-toface end portions thereof will be double-bent upon one another.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate yet another modification of the invention, designated generally by reference numeral 10c, differing from that of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 described above only in that the end walls 140 and 150 of the liner, instead of being provided with flat, outwardly-extending flanges, are provided with snap-closure means comprising a first tubular bead 35 formed along the upper end of end wall 140 and a second tubular bead 36 formed along the upper end of end wall 150. The tubular bead 36 is of substantially greater diameter than that of the tubular bead 35 so that, as illustrated in FIG. 11, sealing or encapsulating can be effected by squeezing together the end walls 140 and 150 so that the smaller tubular bead 35 will be snap-titted under and along the comparatively large tubular bead 36.

Although I have described my ashtray liner for use in combination with seat arm-rests of conventional passenger aircraft, it is to be understood that it is applicable as well as to many other uses, such as in tables,

chairs or other articles of furniture in commercial establishments, social clubs, in automobiles, in ships, and even in the home.

Well I have illustrated and described only four forms in which the invention can conveniently be embodied in practice, it is to be understood that these forms are given by way of example only and not in a limiting sense. For example, for additional rigidity, the vertical walls of the liners could be fabricated with corrugations or ribs. Also, the snufi'er strips, instead of being smooth along their upper surfaces, could be transversely corrugated to provide a roughened zone for rubbing out cigarette butts. It is also contemplated that the liners herein described could be used for other purposes besides ashtray liners, for example, as temporary disposable containers for small articles such as machine parts, The invention, in brief, comprises all the embodiments and modifications coming within scope and spirit of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A disposable container comprising, in combination, a unitary, open-topped body member integrally formed with a pair of opposed side walls, a pair of opposed end walls and a bottom wall, said body member being of a non-combustable, flexible sheet material to permit bending together of upper end portions of one of pairs of opposed walls for encapsulating materials placed within said body member, means for scaling together along their entire lengths marginal upper end portions of said one pair of said pairs of opposed walls after said bending together, and an upper end plate secured against the upper periphery of said body member and providing an outwardly-extending peripheral flange thereat, said upper plate being formed with a pair of spaced, parallel, rectangular openings defining therebetween a snuffer strip extending between said end walls.

2. A disposable container as defined in claim 1, wherein said body member is formed of light-gauge sheet aluminum, and includes a central, verticallyextending score line in one each of said end walls to facilitate collapsing of said end walls upon the bending together of said side walls.

3. A disposable container as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for sealing marginal upper end portions of said one pair of said pairs of opposed walls comprises a tubular bead formed along the marginal upper end portions of one wall of said one pair of said pairs of opposed walls, and a complemental, arcuatelyrounded snap-hook portion formed along the marginal upper end portion of the other wall of said one pair of said pair of opposed walls.

4. A disposable container as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for sealing marginal upper end portions of said one pair of said pairs of opposed walls comprises a tubular bead formed along the marginal upper end portion of one wall of said one pair of said pairs of opposed walls, and a second tubular bead formed along the marginal upper end portion of the other wall of said one pair of said pairs of opposed walls. 

1. A disposable container comprising, in combination, a unitary, open-topped body member integrally formed with a pair of opposed side walls, a pair of opposed end walls and a bottom wall, said body member being of a non-combustable, flexible sheet material to permit bending together of upper end portions of one of pairs of opposed walls for encapsulating materials placed within said body member, means for sealing together along their entire lengths marginal upper end portions of said one pair of said pairs of opposed walls after said bending together, and an upper end plate secured against the upper periphery of said body member and providing an outwardly-extending peripheral flange thereat, said upper plate being formed with a pair of spaced, parallel, rectangular openings defining therebetween a snuffer strip extending between said end walls.
 2. A disposable container as defined in claim 1, wherein said body member is formed of light-gauge sheet aluminum, and includes a central, vertically-extending score line in one each of said end walls to facilitate collapsing of said end walls upon the bending together of said side walls.
 3. A disposable container as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for sealing marginal upper end portions of said one pair of said pairs of opposed walls comprises a tubular bead formed along the marginal upper end portions of one wall of said one pair of said pairs of opposed walls, and a complemental, arcuately-rounded snap-hook portion formed along the marginal upper end portion of the other wall of said one pair of said pair of opposed walls.
 4. A disposable container as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for sealing marginal upper end portions of said one pair of said pairs of opposed walls comprises a tubular bead formed along the marginal upper end portion of one wall of said one pair of said pairs of opposed walls, and a second tubular bead formed along the marginal upper end portion of the other wall of said one pair of said pairs of opposed walls. 